Soccer comes up just short of State Tournament

CARROLLTON — The Lady Eagles soccer team at Prosper High has had a tremendous season. Prior to the Regional Finals, the girls were undefeated, boasting an impressive record of 26-0-1.

They also defeated last year’s State Champion, Frisco Centennial, in dominating fashion to advance to the Regional Tournament at Carrollton Standridge Stadium.

Prosper 1, Highland Park 2

Two of the top teams in the state squared off for the Regional Final in an early morning match on Saturday, April 8, battling for a bid in the State Tournament. Both teams had an undefeated record coming into the match, with similar stats throughout their season. As the No. 1 team in the state of Texas, the Highland Park Scots (24-0-0) entered the match as the favorite. They were the champions of District 15-5A II, and ranked 27th in the nation. They have won 24 consecutive games, scored 111 goals, and allowed just nine goals against. Prosper’s five-game winning streak has allowed them to remain dominant in the playoffs. They have scored a total of 128 goals, with eight goals allowed against. According to MaxPreps, they are ranked fourth in the state and 47 in the nation.

From kickoff, it was clear that this matchup was going to be a tough one. The Lady Eagles lined up to start the game, and sent a tricky long ball down the line trying to get ahead early. Both teams worked to get organized offensively, with Prosper leading the attack.

Senior Mo Ordonez earned a close-range free kick two minutes in after a hand-ball was called against Highland Park. Junior Kat Rogers hit a beautiful shot, but just barely missed over the top.

The Scots retaliated with a quick combination play up the field, but freshman centerback Lauren Lapomarda chased down the advancing forward to prevent the shot. As Highland Park settled in the game, they created some close chances on goal, but senior goalkeeper Haley Birmingham was instrumental in keeping the Scots at bay.

Katie Lapomarda was vital to the Prosper offense in the first. The senior had several close shots that almost tipped the score in favor of the Lady Eagles, but the Highland Park keeper made save after save to deny any goals.

The teams remained stuck in a tense battle for most of the first half, until Rogers finally gave her team the lead. Katie Lapomarda zipped her way around several Highland Park defenders before dishing off a perfect pass to a wide-open Rogers. Rogers, waiting at the 30-yard line, took just one touch before ripping a curling shot into the upper right side of the goal. The goal would carry Prosper into halftime, although the Scots almost knotted it up with just 40 seconds remaining.

Most of the second half was similar to the first, until Highland Park found the equalizer around the 20-minute mark. They would double the lead just one minute later to eventually put the game out of reach for Prosper, as the score would end 2-1 for Highland Park.

Regardless of the score, Coach Rafael Flores said he couldn’t be more proud of the girls for their incredible season.

“I’m obviously proud of all the girls have accomplished this year,” he said. “It was a record-breaking, history-making season.”

The girls finished the year 26-1-1, and will be graduating nine seniors. They were District Champions, Bi-District Champion, Area Champions, and winners of the Regional II Quarterfinals and Semifinals. They took second place in the Regional Finals, losing only to the top team in the state of Highland Park.

“I’ll always remember this team and all they accomplished,” Flores said. “I’m just grateful I got to go along for the ride.”